Chapter - 9

Indelible wounds

"WATCH OUT!"

August steadied his best friend who tripped for the fourth time on the steps.

They were celebrating the return of Ryan after a whole month of business trip. And now August is trying so hard to take care of his drunken friend.

"I'm ok..I think I need one more drink." Ryan slurred trying to get back inside the bar.

"You had enough." August scolded his friend dragging Ryan with him.

"I won't talk to you. W-Whenever we go out you only drink soda. IT'S NOT FAIR!!" Ryan whined loudly earning few glances from the passing people, embarrassing his friend even more.

"Hold still man! We both know our alcohol tolerance, so shut up. I don't think you can drive like this." August hold his friend close with one arm and took out his phone.

"NO! I can. I will call you tomorrow. BYE!"

Ryan shoved his friend slightly and bid farewell to him.

August watched his friend closely who stumbled towards the parking lot with his car key.

His eyes widened when he saw Ryan struggling to open the door of a red BMW.

"UGH....See? I told you AG, something is always wrong with my car. It won't open.." Ryan whined, now trying to pull the door with both his hands.

August ran towards him, "Because it's not your car moron, let go. I will call a cab." He pulled his complaining friend away from the vehicle before anyone sees them. Ryan struggled a bit before following his friend obediently.

**********

August blowed on his palms before shoving it inside the pockets of his hoodie. He breathed in the chillness of the night. The barking of dogs and irritating sounds of crickets pierced the calmness of night. He shuddered slightly as a small breeze caressed him.

Their house was forty minutes away from the city, whereas Rendell's dwelling were on the other side of the city, few hours far from it.

It was very dark, August looked up to the starless sky. It was completely blank. Just like his mind.

The silhouette of the residence filled an uncomfortableness in his heart. He don't want to go home yet, he want to wander around some more.

He walked towards the palce they called home with grief. He greeted some guards on duty with a nod before entering into the big place.

The lights were off, and he didn't bother to turn it on.

"It's late. Where were you?" A voice spoke from the darkness.

August halted in his steps with a gasp. He turned on the lights before facing his big brother.

Adriel was sitting on the couch, leaning against it. His flushed face turned upwards, eyes closed. August noticed the bottles of alcohol on the table. His brother held a half empty glass.

"I was hanging out with Ryan." He mumbled.

Adriel stopped massaging his temples and opened his eyes to look at the younger one.

"I told you hundred times it's not safe to roam around at night. Just because Rendells won't attack you doesn't mean others will do the same. You won't even allow guards with you." Adriel raised his voice pointedly looking at his little brother.

"I...I have my gun." August tried to defend.

"And have you ever used it?"

Silence.

It's not first time August was admonished by his brother for the same reason.

"I like walking. I want to be alone Andro. I don't want guards to follow me everywhere." August burst out.

Adriel remained silent for few moments before sighing. "Whatever. Just remember we only have each other. I don't want to lose you too, and I won't." He gritted out, finishing the remaining contents in the glass.

August looked at his brother sadly. He wasn't like this before. Although he was a little rebellious back then, he was a good kid. He was happy and free. August can't recall the last time he saw a genuine smile on his brother's face. It is all replaced with devilish smirks and vicious smiles since the day they left.

August wanted his mild brother back. He wants to stop this war. But he knows well that the only thing stopping the two families to lash out each other is him. He also knows they won't hold back very long.

He took a deep breath before asking the question that he well know will trigger his brother.

"Why don't you end this all Andro? It's been years. You can't keep this much loath inside you. We have still time. You can leave this life behind and go wherever you want, just like you wanted years ago." August encouraged hopefully looking at his brother.

Adriel rose from where he sat throwing the glass on the floor. August flinched from the shattering sound.

"That time our whole family was alive Steve! Do you even hear yourself!?," Adriel roared. "Have you forgotten what they did to us? It wasn't you who saw them bathed in blood, it was me. And our mother? Think about the pain she endured when her whole body was burned. Were her mighty husband and three children able to save her? No."

August cried silently allowing his brother to let it out from his heart.

Adriel snatched the unfinished bottle from the table chugging the contents down his throat. He gazed at the portrait of the beard man on the wall with resentment. August followed his gaze where their father's picture was hanged.

"I hate him. But it doesn't mean I won't avenge for their death Steve," He turned to his weeping brother. "Hunter will suffer."

"I won't kill him easily. I will destroy all those he loves, and tear down everything he build up. If I don't do it, my name won't be Adriel Leandro Froster."

August didn't say anything. He expected this from the moment the past events left his lips.

"If you still believe they didn't do anything, you don't have to fight this battle. But don't expect me to change."

Adriel snarled before flopping down on the couch. He leaned back putting his arm over his eyes.

August sniffed and turned around to leave.

"I can promise you one thing...," Adriel spoke up, "I won't hurt him. That blonde fox, you love him don't you?" He asked his younger brother calmly.

August's heart squeezed painfully. His vision blurred and he felt suffocated.

It hurts when we know that the person you love is not interested in you at all. But it burns when you realize even though he loves you, he will not do anything about it. And August didn't know what to feel anymore.

The man and friends he loves on one side, and his own brother on the other side. He does not know what to do..he can not always stop them..there will be a war on the day when the patience of both groups ends. And the third son of Valantin Froster knew there is a great loss awaiting him in that battle.

"I...I don't know." August choked out before running upstairs to find comfort in his duvet.

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